With temperatures hovering around 41 or 42 degree Celsius, locals feel drained amid the sweltering heat and are turning to traditional drinks — like lassi and shikanji — for respite.Most of the locals are hesitant to step outside due to the unforgiving sun. Experts recommend it is crucial to stay hydrated amid the rise in mercury.According to the locals, the traditional cooling drinks are budget-friendly compared to other beverages and are tastier, healthier and effective at quenching thirst.As these drinks are budget-friendly, they are popular among most segments of the society, be it students outside colleges or schools, commuters, rickshaw drivers or daily wage earners.Dr Ravindra Vatsayan, Ayurveda consultant, says we are in the “Adan Kala” — a period when the sun is strong and the body’s energy is replenished from it.As a result of the replenishment, we tend to sweat a lot and need plenty of liquids to stay hydrated, he adds.According to him, people used to drink buttermilk or lemonade in ancient times when fans were not available, but have shifted to aerated drinks nowadays.He, however, says homemade remedies — such as aam panna or bel panna — are the best option as they help keep the body hydrated. He recommends regular consumption of lemonade, buttermilk and yogurt-based drinks. Additionally, sattu and barley water are also essential for cooling the body.With the rise in temperatures, numerous stalls offering refreshing items, like sugarcane juice, lemonade and buttermilk, have also cropped up along city roads.